Derivatives of bisphenolic substituted carboxylic acids



United States Patent Int. Cl. C07c 65/14; C08f 27/18 U.S. Cl. 260-520 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dicarboxylic, diphenolic compound obtained by condensing one mol of an organodihalide with two mols of bis-phenolic acid. Polyfunctional materials react with the two carboxyl groups to yield linear polymers, and the phenolic groups may be cross-linked using formaldehyde.

This application is a division of applicants copending application Ser. No. 502,742, filed Apr. 20, 1955, now U.S. Patent 3,382,252. A division of said application has issued as U.S. Patent No. 2,984,685.

This invention relates to a new and highly useful class of bisphenol (bisphenolic) compounds containing phenolic radicals and additional functional groups providing for increased reactivity and other valuable properties. The invention also relates to novel resinous and other products prepared from such compounds. A specific compound from which many of the compounds of the pres ent invention may be derived is gamma, gamma-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid. That particular compound is the central feature of Bader U.S. Patent No. 2,933,520 and is there sometimes designated 4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) pentanoic acid.

Gamma,gammabis(4-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid and analogous bisphenolic compounds are readily produced by reaction, in the presence of a mineral acid catalyst, between (1) a phenol and (2) an oxocarboxylic or keto acid or ester in which a keto group is connected to a carboxy or carboalkoxy radical through an alkylene radical of at least two carbon atoms. Such keto compounds are readily available and are highly stable both under acid conditions and at elevated temperature whether in the form of the carboxylic acid or the ester. Levulinic acid is a preferred example and, since this compound is readily available, it or one of its alkyl esters is employed in the exemplary but non-limitative formulas and procedures hereinbelow set forth.

The intermediate alkylene radical of the keto acid or' ester may be either a polymethylene radical such as a propylene or preferably an ethylene radical, or may be an alkyl-substituted polymethylene radical such as an ethyl ethylene radical. Compounds of the latter type, viz., alphaalkyl-gamma-oxocarboxylic acids, are readily prepared from alpha-halogen aliphatic acids and sodium acetoacetic esters or acetylacetonates.

Preparation of 'y,'y-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid G. Phenol (0.2 mol) 18.8 Levulinic acid (0.05 mol) 5.8 Calcium chloride 7.0 Conc. hydrochloric acid 0.17 Mercaptoacetic acid 0.06

The phenol was dissolved in the levulinic acid to which was added the calcium chloride, hydrochloric acid and mercaptoacetic acid. Solution was hastened by slight 3,471,554 Patented Oct. 7, 1969 warming. After ten days at room temperature, the viscous reaction mixture was poured into water, dissolved in ether and extracted with dilute aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Acidification of the combined bicarbonate extracts yielded a viscous water insoluble resin. This was dissolved in ether; some ethanol and benzene were added; and the solution was evaporated to dryness in a current of air, with heating. The pale amber solid resinous product was identified as 'y,'y-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid having the following formula:

I CHa-C-CHz-CHr-CO OH Analysis-Calculated for C H O C, 71.3; H, 6.3. Found: C, 71.1; H, 6.4.

The glassy form of this compound melts under 100 C., but, from solution, crystalline forms can be obtained either with solvent of crystallization or without, the solvated forms usually being obtained at room temperature. The solvated forms, when heated rapidly melted considerably lower than the anhydrous form which melted at 173174 C. By slow cautious heating of the solvated forms, it was often possible to drive oif the solvent at a lower temperature without concurrent melting. Crystals deposited from solution in a mixed solvent such as ethyl acetatecarbon tetrachloride often exhibited two unsharp melting points, each followed by resolidification.

It should be noted that a considerable excess of phenol was used, mostly because of the favorable effect on the reaction and the ease with which phenol can be removed from the condensation product. However, it is unnecessary that the phenol be present in excess; and, in fact, an excess of the levulinic acid could be used, if preferred,

Considerable latitude is permissible in the composition of the mixture from which 'y,'y-bis(hydroxyphenyDvaleric acid is obtained, both as to choice of reactive agents and as to amounts.

The condensation of phenols with levulinic acid to give the -bisphenolic substituted valeric acids of this invention was also carried out using as catalyst aqueous hydrochloric acid of concentrations varying from 37% (ordinary concentrated hydrochloric acid) down to about 8%. In these instances the quantities of concentrated hydrochloric acid used in the reaction mixture approximated the weight of levulinic acid used, and the reactions were run at reflux temperature (about 93108 C.) for 20-24 hour periods.

Alternatively, sulfuric acid catalyst (of or lower concentration) was also employed at room temperature. Shorter reaction times are often possible with sulfuric acid, but hydrochloric acid is more conveniently removed after completion of the reaction.

Preparation of 'm -bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl) valeric acid To freshly distilled o-cresol (216.3 grams) was added 58 grams levulinic acid and 2 grams mercaptoacetic acid. The solution was stirred and saturated with dry hydrochloric acid intermittently for two days and allowed to stand at room temperature for a total of seven days. Unreacted starting materials, water and the hy- 3 i 4 drochloric acid were distilled off under vacuum up to The bisphenolic acid and products obtained therefrom 150 C. at 2 mm. Hg. Aresidue weighing about 136 may be utilized in a variety of ways such as for antigrams remained. To the hot residue was added, with oxidants, germicides and fungicides, agricultural chemstirring, about 100 ml. of xylene and 30 ml. of ethyl icals (growth regulators), plasticizers, lubricants, low

adhesion backsizes, coupling agents, casting and molding resins and as intermediates in the production of polyacetate. A fine mush separated as the mixture cooled. A first crop of 61 grams of pale powdery product (M.P.

143l45 C.) was collected on a filter (washed with functional epoxy compounds and internally plasticized xylene-ethyl acetate, 20:6 by volume). The filtrate was phenol-aldehyde resins. The compounds of this invention extracted with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and from this are also valuable intermediates for the preparation of extract an additional 47 grams of product was recovered. paper and textile treating materials. The initial conden- A sample, recrystallized from methanol-water and dried sates with formaldehyde as well as derivatives of the carto 130 C. in a vacuum, was analyzed and found to be boxyl function provide points of attachment to the fiber. bis(4 hydroxy 3 methylphenyl)valeric acid. Halogenation and nitration of products of this invention The melting point of the sample was 144-146 C. may be carried out to enhance certain types of activity Analysis calculated for C19H22O4: C 716; H 79' such as fungicidal, bactericidal and herbicidal functions. Found: C, 72.4; H, 7.1. Example This compound also readily forms lower melting crys- One mol of a dihalogenated compound such as 5,5- tals with solvent of crystallization. dichlorodiethyl ether may be condensed in the presence Mercaptoacetic acid is one of a number of sulfur com- 20 of excess aqueous alkali with two mols of a bisphenolic pounds which may be utilized to speed up the reaction substituted carboxylic acid to give a product typified by of a phenol with the oxocarboxylic acids of this inventhe following formula, as one example:

110- OCH2CH2OCH2CH2O OH CH3 (3H3 a CH2 (IJHZ COOH COOH tion. Other compounds with which it may be replaced in- This dicarboxylic acid may be reacted with diols, clude hydrogen sulfide and mercaptopropionic acid. In diamines, diisocyanates, or aminoalcohols to give linear fact, the reaction will proceed without the use of auxiliary polymers having side group substituents at intervals. catalysts but ataslower rate. Controlled crosslinking can be carried out through the reactive phenolic side group and formaldehyde. This dicarboxylic acid and products obtained therefrom offer considerable promise as plasticizers, antioxidants, and A solution Of ethyl levulinate (36.05 grams), phenol lubricants and may prove to combine two 01' more of (94 grams) and mercaptoacetic acid (5 drops) in abthese properties into a single compound. A higher ratio solute ethanol (46 grams) was saturated with dry hyof dihaloether to bisphenolic acid would give polymers drochloric acid. After this had stood about 36 hours at directly. room temperature, a 7.5-gram sample was withdrawn It should also be noted that the aromatic rings of the and distilled under vacuum up to a bath temperature of bisphenolic acids and compounds obtainable therefrom 150 C. at 0.3 mm. Hg. The solid residue was dissolved may be reduced catalytically to give the cycloaliphatic in ethanol. Some water was added and the solvent slowanalogs thereof. ly evaporated from the solution. The ethyl ester of 'y,'y- What is claimed is: bis(4 hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid crystallized in stubby 1. A bisphenolic compound having the structural forcolorless prisms (M.P. 126128 C.). Similar treatment mula Preparation of ethyl ester of 'y,'y-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) valeric acid CH2 CH2 OOH ('JOOII of the balance of the reaction mixture several days after wherein R is an alkylene radical having at least two carresaturating with dry hydrochloric acid gave a total yield bon atoms and R and R" are each selected from the of 30 grams more of the ethyl ester. Another sample was g p Consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals of crystallized from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether and carbon atomsmelted 127 5 123 5 c 2. bisphenolic compound as defined in claim 1 Analysis.Calculated for c n m; c, 72.6; H, 7.0. Wherem f and are each hydrogen- Found: C, 724; H h3. A 1riisphenollc compound as defined in claim 2 w erein is CH CH The esters of these bisphenolic substituted derivatives T. rof Valerie acid may either be prepared directly from the References Cited levulinic ester as described above or the condensation I product of the phenol and levulinic acid may be subse- UN TED STATES PATENTS quently esterifiai 2,933,520 960 Bader 260-473 A number of other phenols including 2,6 dimethylphenol, 2,6 diethylphenol, 2,6 diisopropylphenol, and 0 LORMINE WEINBERGER Pnmary Exammer o phenylphenol have been found to react with the de- STENZEL, Assistant Examiner scribed oxoacids to give bisphenolic .acids. Orthochlorophenol and 2,6 di t butylphenol are also found to react, but less readily. 7 26047, 51, 51.5, 52, 999 

